Go! And Stand on Christ, the Firm Foundation 1 Corinthians 3:11
Introduction
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a central truth of our faith: Christ is the firm foundation on which we stand. In a world filled with shifting sands, uncertainties, and trials, we are called to stand on the unshakeable, immovable foundation that is Jesus Christ. As we explore this vital topic together, we will see how Scripture assures us of Christ's steadfastness and how His firm foundation sustains us in every area of life.
Our guiding verse for today comes from 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NLT): "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ."
Let us anchor ourselves in this truth and explore what it means to build our lives on Christ.
Point 1: Christ is the Foundation Laid by God
1 Corinthians 3:11 (NLT): "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ."
The apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus Christ is the only true foundation. No human effort, philosophy, or institution can replace the foundation that God Himself has laid in Jesus. The Greek word for "foundation" here is themelios, meaning the base or groundwork upon which everything else is built. It is not temporary or unstable but designed to endure for eternity.
Isaiah 28:16 (NLT): "Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.'"
Here, the prophet Isaiah points us to Jesus as the cornerstone, the first and most important stone in a building's foundation. In ancient architecture, the cornerstone determined the stability and alignment of the entire structure. In Christ, we find both our security and direction.
God Himself has chosen Jesus as our foundation. When we build our lives on Him, we are building on something eternal, tested, and true. In contrast, building on the foundations of worldly success, relationships, or personal achievements is like building on shifting sands.
Consider a skyscraper. Before it can rise to great heights, engineers spend months, sometimes years, ensuring the foundation is solid and deep enough to support the structure. In the same way, if we desire lives that honour God and stand firm through trials, we must be deeply rooted in Christ.
John Stott writes, "The Christian's stability is in Christ, not in the circumstances of life."
Point 2: Christ is the Foundation for Our Faith and Hope
Ephesians 2:19-20 (NLT): "So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself."
This passage reminds us that Christ is not only our personal foundation but also the foundation of the entire church. Our faith and hope are grounded in Him, and as members of God’s family, we are united in this truth.
Hebrews 6:19 (NLT): "This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary."
Jesus, our foundation, is also the anchor for our souls. The imagery of an anchor signifies stability in the midst of storms. Just as an anchor holds a ship steady in rough waters, Christ keeps us grounded in the storms of life.
The Greek word for "cornerstone" (akrogoniaios) in Ephesians 2:20 underscores Christ's role as the essential and unifying element of our faith. He is the standard by which all doctrine and practice are measured. When our hope is in Him, it cannot be shaken.
Think of a lighthouse standing firm against crashing waves. No matter how fierce the storm, the lighthouse remains steady, providing guidance and hope. In the same way, Christ is our lighthouse, guiding us through life’s tempests.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "To trust in yourself is to build on quicksand, but to trust in Jesus is to build on a rock."
Point 3: Christ’s Foundation Sustains Us Through Trials
Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT): "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock."
In this well-known parable, Jesus contrasts the wise builder who builds on solid rock with the foolish builder who builds on sand. The storms represent life’s challenges and trials, which will inevitably come. The question is not whether the storms will come but whether our foundation will hold.
Psalm 18:2 (NLT): "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my saviour; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."
David’s declaration of God as his rock reminds us of the stability and protection we find in Christ. He is our refuge, our strength, and our salvation.
The word "rock" in Hebrew (tsur) implies a cliff or a high, safe place. It conveys both strength and security. When we face trials, we can find safety and peace by standing on the firm foundation of Christ.
Imagine a tree with deep roots. When strong winds blow, the tree may sway, but it does not fall because its roots are firmly planted. Similarly, when our lives are rooted in Christ, we can endure the fiercest storms.
Tim Keller states, "You don’t really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have."
Conclusion:
Brothers and sisters, Christ is the firm foundation on which we stand. He is the foundation laid by God, the cornerstone of our faith and hope, and the bedrock that sustains us through life’s trials. As we close, I want to challenge each of us to examine our lives. Are we building on the firm foundation of Christ, or are we relying on unstable, temporary foundations?
Call to Action:
Today, let us commit to standing on Christ alone. Build your life on His unshakeable foundation. Spend time in His Word, trust in His promises, and lean on His strength.
Invitation to Faith:
If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus, I invite you to do so today. A life built on any other foundation will crumble, but a life built on Christ will stand for eternity. Come to Him as your Saviour and Lord. He is ready to welcome you with open arms.
May God bless you as you stand firm on the foundation of Christ!
